Virtual teams are becoming more common and experience shows that they can be more productive than traditional teams. However, it requires more than just equipping employees with modern communication technologies. When building virtual teams, you should be aware of the pitfalls that stand in front of you. The following three principles are most important.
The same approach does not work for all
Virtual work requires a high degree of self-motivation and self-reliance. When selecting employees to work outside the traditional office, be sure to apply different criteria than when recruiting the other employees. They should be able to think independently and clearly make decisions without direct control from above. Moreover, they should undergo special training to learn how to communicate with their teams. This training should always look different with regard to individual employees and projects.
Do not expect that cooperation will function automatically
The success of functioning virtual teams lies in regularly setting measurable goals, providing timely feedback and ensuring clear accountability for both virtual and other teams. Even before you start a virtual team, it is necessary to clarify the strategy of communication and cooperation and test it in pilot operation.
Advanced tools will not guarantee success
Many companies assume that the latest technologies will made virtual work function automatically. Online technologies are essential but too complex tools often do more harm than good. It is always necessary to consider your specific needs. Instead of a complex system, that your employees will learn to understand for a long time, Skype can be enough.
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